This scarce early map is based on the now lost world map of Gemma Frisius [1540]. The world is presented in a cordiform projection on a cloud background filled with mythical figures and wind heads. One of the deities sports the design of the Holy Roman Emperor's double eagle on his breastplate and the three cadaverous wind heads at bottom represent plague-carrying winds of the south. The continents are broadly based on Mercator's globe gores of 1541 but North America is shown as a long slender landmass labeled Baccalearium in reference to the cod fishing region. There are few geographical features other than the prominent twin lake sources of the Nile in Africa. The heart-shaped border of the map contains signs of the zodiac. This is an example from the second of three woodblocks, issued with Latin and Dutch text. This example differs from the counterfeit map mentioned by Shirley, in that there is no evidence of a crack in the plate at top and the paper is not watermarked.

References: Shirley #96.

Condition: B+

Lightly toned with a few tiny worm holes in the two central figures at top. A worm track in the bottom blank margin has been professionally filled.